Nate Thurmond
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel "Nate" Thurmond (born July 25, 1941, in Akron, Ohio
) is a retired American basketball
player. Dominant at both center
and power forward
, he was a seven-time All-Star and the first player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double.
Thurmond remains one of the greatest rebounders and shot blockers ever, named both a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Known to fans as "Nate the Great", the popular Thurmond has had his #42 jersey retired by both the Golden State Warriors
and Cleveland Cavaliers
franchises.
star, Gus Johnson
, at Akron Central. Their powerful team went undefeated before losing to Middletown, led by Jerry Lucas
, in the Ohio state high school playoffs. Passing on a scholarship offer to Ohio State
, to avoid becoming Lucas's backup there, the 6'11" Thurmond chose Bowling Green
. He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News
in 1963, and was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors
later that year.
With the Warriors, Thurmond was an aggressive rebounder
-defender who played at the forward position opposite superstar Wilt Chamberlain
or was his backup at center
. Despite playing on the same team as the dominant Chamberlain, Thurmond made an impact and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
in 1964.
When Chamberlain was traded back to Philadelphia's new franchise, the Philadelphia 76ers
, Thurmond became the All-Star
starting center Chamberlain said he could be. Among his many accomplishments, Thurmond still holds the regular season record for rebounds in a quarter with 18. He averaged 21.3 and 22.0 rebounds per game in the 1966-67
and 1967-68
seasons — season averages exceeded by only Bill Russell
and Chamberlain in NBA history. Thurmond placed second to Chamberlain in the MVP balloting in the 1966-67 season, and averaged over 20 points per game each season from 1967-68
through 1971-72, and played in seven NBA All-Star Games while with the Warriors. However, while star players like Rick Barry
and Jerry Lucas came and went, the Warriors were unable to win a championship with Thurmond at center. Thurmond was an excellent passing center and was well known as the best screen setter in the league for many years.
He was traded to the Chicago Bulls
for Clifford Ray
prior to the 1974-75 season
. On October 18, 1974 against the Atlanta Hawks
, in his debut as a Bull, he recorded 22 points
, 14 rebounds, 13 assists
and 12 blocked shots
, becoming the first player in NBA history to officially record a quadruple-double (blocked shots were not counted before ).http://www.nba.com/history/players/thurmond_bio.html He was then traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
13 games into the following season. In Cleveland, the now 35-year-old Thurmond came off the bench for the injured Jim Chones
to lead Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals before the Cavaliers lost to the star-studded Boston Celtics
in 1976
.
After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco
and opened a well-known restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ, after a brief attempt at broadcasting.
One of five players in NBA history to average at least 15 rebounds per game for his career: 15.0 (14,464/964)
One of five players in NBA history to average at least 20 rebounds per game during a season: 21.3 , 22.0
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
) is a retired American basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Dominant at both center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
and power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
, he was a seven-time All-Star and the first player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double.
Thurmond remains one of the greatest rebounders and shot blockers ever, named both a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Known to fans as "Nate the Great", the popular Thurmond has had his #42 jersey retired by both the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
franchises.
Career
He played in high school with another future NBANational Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
star, Gus Johnson
Gus Johnson (basketball)
Gus Johnson was a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He spent nine seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, and a final season split between the Phoenix Suns and the Indiana Pacers of the ABA...
, at Akron Central. Their powerful team went undefeated before losing to Middletown, led by Jerry Lucas
Jerry Lucas
Jerry Ray Lucas was a basketball player from the 1950s to the 1970s, and is now a memory education expert. In 1996, the NBA's 50th anniversary, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in National Basketball Association history...
, in the Ohio state high school playoffs. Passing on a scholarship offer to Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, to avoid becoming Lucas's backup there, the 6'11" Thurmond chose Bowling Green
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
. He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
in 1963, and was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
later that year.
With the Warriors, Thurmond was an aggressive rebounder
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
-defender who played at the forward position opposite superstar Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
or was his backup at center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. Despite playing on the same team as the dominant Chamberlain, Thurmond made an impact and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
in 1964.
When Chamberlain was traded back to Philadelphia's new franchise, the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, Thurmond became the All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
starting center Chamberlain said he could be. Among his many accomplishments, Thurmond still holds the regular season record for rebounds in a quarter with 18. He averaged 21.3 and 22.0 rebounds per game in the 1966-67
1966-67 NBA season
The 1966–67 NBA Season was the 21st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Philadelphia 76ers winning the NBA Championship, beating the San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals, ending the Boston Celtics' record title run at 8.- Notable occurrences :*...
and 1967-68
1967-68 NBA season
The 1967–68 NBA season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.- Notable occurrences :...
seasons — season averages exceeded by only Bill Russell
Bill Russell
William Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
and Chamberlain in NBA history. Thurmond placed second to Chamberlain in the MVP balloting in the 1966-67 season, and averaged over 20 points per game each season from 1967-68
1967-68 NBA season
The 1967–68 NBA season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.- Notable occurrences :...
through 1971-72, and played in seven NBA All-Star Games while with the Warriors. However, while star players like Rick Barry
Rick Barry
Richard Francis Dennis Barry III , better known as Rick Barry, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is considered by many veteran basketball observers to be one of the greatest pure small forwards of all time as a result of his very precise outside shot, uncanny court vision,...
and Jerry Lucas came and went, the Warriors were unable to win a championship with Thurmond at center. Thurmond was an excellent passing center and was well known as the best screen setter in the league for many years.
He was traded to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
for Clifford Ray
Clifford Ray
Clifford Ray is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player. A 6–9 center, he played three of his ten seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and the other seven with the Golden State Warriors .-Career:Ray has won a NBA championship as a player and as a coach...
prior to the 1974-75 season
1974-75 NBA season
The 1974–75 NBA season was the 29th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Championship, sweeping the Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
. On October 18, 1974 against the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, in his debut as a Bull, he recorded 22 points
Point (basketball)
Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals or free throws ....
, 14 rebounds, 13 assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
and 12 blocked shots
Block (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
, becoming the first player in NBA history to officially record a quadruple-double (blocked shots were not counted before ).http://www.nba.com/history/players/thurmond_bio.html He was then traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
13 games into the following season. In Cleveland, the now 35-year-old Thurmond came off the bench for the injured Jim Chones
Jim Chones
James Bernett Chones is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" forward/center, Chones starred at Marquette University, where he earned All-America honors as a junior in 1972 after averaging 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game...
to lead Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals before the Cavaliers lost to the star-studded Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in 1976
1976 in sports
1976 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Rosi Mittermaier, West Germany-American football:...
.
After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
and opened a well-known restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ, after a brief attempt at broadcasting.
Regular season
| Stat | High | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 43 | at Detroit Pistons | |
| Points | 42 | at Detroit Pistons | |
| Field goal percentage | |||
| Field goals made | 18 | at Detroit Pistons | |
| Field goal attempts | 34 | ||
| Free throws made, none missed | — | ||
| Free throws made, one missed | 15—16 | at Milwaukee Bucks | |
| Free throws made | 16 | at Seattle SuperSonics | |
| Free throw attempts | 22 | ||
| Rebounds | 42 | vs. Detroit Pistons | |
| Rebounds | 37 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | |
| Rebounds | 37 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Rebounds, half | 24 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Rebounds, quarter | 18 | at Baltimore Bullets | |
| Assists | 13 | ||
| Blocked shots | 12 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | |
| Blocked shots | 8 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | |
| Minutes played | 63 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
Playoffs
| Stat | High | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 32 | ||
| Field goal percentage | |||
| Field goals made | 13 | ||
| Field goal attempts | 29 | ||
| Free throws made, none missed | — | ||
| Free throw attempts, none made | 0—3 | at Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Free throws made | 8 | ||
| Free throw attempts | 11 | ||
| Rebounds | 31 | at Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Assists | 9 | ||
| Blocked shots | 6 | vs. Boston Celtics |
Regular season
First player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double in a game: Chicago Bulls (120) vs. Atlanta Hawks (115), (OT)- 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocked shots in 45 minutes
- The game was the first of the season, as well as Thurmond's debut with the Chicago Bulls.
- Alvin RobertsonAlvin RobertsonAlvin Cyrrale Robertson is a retired American basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association from 1984 to 1993, and for one final season in 1995–96.-Career:...
, Hakeem OlajuwonHakeem OlajuwonHakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008,...
and David RobinsonDavid Robinson (basketball)David Maurice Robinson is a retired American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. Based on his prior service as an officer in the United States Navy, Robinson earned the nickname "The Admiral". He and teammate power forward Tim Duncan were...
are the only other players to achieve this.
One of five players in NBA history to average at least 15 rebounds per game for his career: 15.0 (14,464/964)
- Also done by Wilt ChamberlainWilt ChamberlainWilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
, Bill RussellBill RussellWilliam Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
, Bob PettitBob PettitRobert Lee "Bob" Pettit Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks . He was the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970...
and Jerry LucasJerry LucasJerry Ray Lucas was a basketball player from the 1950s to the 1970s, and is now a memory education expert. In 1996, the NBA's 50th anniversary, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in National Basketball Association history...
One of five players in NBA history to average at least 20 rebounds per game during a season: 21.3 , 22.0
- Also achieved by Bill RussellBill RussellWilliam Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
, Wilt ChamberlainWilt ChamberlainWilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
, Bob PettitBob PettitRobert Lee "Bob" Pettit Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks . He was the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970...
and Jerry LucasJerry LucasJerry Ray Lucas was a basketball player from the 1950s to the 1970s, and is now a memory education expert. In 1996, the NBA's 50th anniversary, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in National Basketball Association history...